Switzerland Business
• Main exports: Chocolate, watches, pharmaceuticals, metals and chemicals.
• Main imports: Chemicals, textiles, electronics and minerals.
• Main trade partners: Germany, Austria, France, USA and UK.
Economy
Although half of the country's food is imported, the agricultural sector is a strong and major employer. The processed foods industry has a high international profile, particularly in such products as chocolate, cheese and baby foods.
The service sector is dominated by banking, where the particular reputation of the Swiss banking community for discretion has attracted large deposits. Switzerland is one of Europe's major financial centres, with Zürich home to the world's fourth-ranked stock market (after New York, London and Tokyo). Among other service industries, tourism is of major importance.
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, although nearly two-thirds of its exports are sold to EU countries.
Business Etiquette
Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700.
Conferences & Conventions
Each of Switzerland's main cities has its own Convention Bureau, whilst the Association of Swiss Convention Centres, Swiss Congress, oversees meetings activity throughout the country. The organisation is made up of the 19 leading congress locations in Switzerland and can help with the organisation of a meeting in any region of the country.
Business Contacts
Stampfenbachstrasse 85, 8035 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 365 5770.
Website: www.osec.ch
Economiesuisse Swiss Business Federation
Verband der Schweizer Unternehmen, Hegibachstrasse 47, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (44) 421 3535.
Website: www.economiesuisse.ch
Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau (SCIB)
c/o Switzerland Tourism, Tödistrasse 7, 8027 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 288 1271.
Website: www.myswitzerland.com
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand
